In the exciting world of fashion where imagination meets reality, a revolution, that has taken more than a decade to gain traction, is finally unfolding. Once a futuristic concept, 3D printed clothing is beginning to literally reshape the very ‘fabric’ of the industry. This cutting-edge technology allows designers to transcend traditional limitations, crafting garments that are not only visually stunning, but also customizable and sustainable. And now, the Queen of 3D, Iris van Herpen, has created the first 3D printed wedding dress. This one-of-a-kind garment required 600 hours to actualize, 41 hours of printing and yielded a file size of 216.7 MB. “There are no seams. You could not do this with a typical pattern,” said van Herpen, who used the program ZBrush to draft the bodice design.

IRIS VAN HERPEN

Iris van Herpen created her Skeleton Dress (left) in 2020 but her first 3D-printed pieces were from her 2010 Crystallisation collection (right)(Image Credit: Pinterest.com) 

3D-printed dress for Dita Von Teese in 2013 by Michael Schmidt and Francis Bitonti. (Photo Credit: Dezeen)

“In 2013, the first fully articulated 3-D printed gown was created for burlesque icon, Dita Von Teese, using Shapeways 3-D technology; Francis Bitonti was the dress’s architect and Michael Schmidt, designer. The gown had nearly 3000 unique articulated joints and was adorned with over 12,000 Swarovski crystals”, according Francesca Sterlacci, co-author of  the Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry and founder/CEO of University of Fashion.

In an industry where trends move at lightning speed, when it comes to technology however, it’s been a slow crawl. For example, 3D design software (such as Browzwear & CLO 3D) has taken decades to be integrated into the design and manufacturing process. And the same is true for 3D printed wearable fashion. In our tech-phobic industry, it is finally happening though, thanks to some very ambitious and tech savvy designers who are implementing cutting-edge technology into their collections. Let’s take a look:

ANOUK WIPPRECHT

Spider Dress 2.0 by Anouk Wipprecht. (Photo Credit: Anouk Wipprecht)

Anouk Wipprecht stands out for her innovative use of technology in fashion. Her Spider Dress 2.0,  is a prime example. It features robotic spider legs that respond to the wearer’s environment. Similarly, her Smoke Dress interacts with its surroundings, emitting smoke when someone gets too close. These designs are more than just clothing; they are interactive experiences that showcase the potential of 3D printing combined with robotics and smart technology.

THE ETHEREAL INCUNABULA DRESS

Incunabula Dress by Kaat Debo, Alexandra Verschueren and Tobias Klein. (Photo Credit: i. Materialise)

Kaat Debo, alongside collaborators Alexandra Verschueren and Tobias Klein, introduced the Incunabula Dress, a masterpiece of organic design and 3D printing. The dress, with its intricate patterns and fluid form, exemplifies the potential for 3D printing to bring complex, nature-inspired designs to life in ways that traditional methods cannot.

MARINA HOERMANSEDER AND JULIA KOERNER

Smock Corset by Marina Hoermanseder and Julia Koerner. (Photo Credit: AP Photo)

The Smock Corset by Marina Hoermanseder and Julia Koerner is another example of how 3D printing can transform traditional fashion items. This stylized corset combines historical design with futuristic technology, offering a glimpse into how 3D printing can revolutionize not just aesthetics but also the structural aspects of fashion.

threeASFOUR’s INTERDIMENSIONAL AND LAURA THAPTHIMKUNA’S VORTEX DRESS

Interdimensional by threeASFOUR. (Photo Credit: Schohaja)

threeASFOUR’s Interdimensional collection uses 3D printing to explore the boundaries of wearable art, creating pieces that seem to exist in multiple dimensions at once. Laura Thapthimkuna’s Vortex Dress, on the other hand, uses 3D printing to craft a garment that visually represents the dynamic flow of energy, offering a striking example of how fashion can convey abstract concepts through design.

Vortex Dress by Laura Thapthimkuna. (Photo Credit: Laura Thapthimkuna)

GEMS OF THE OCEAN

Gems of the Ocean by Melinda Looi with Samuel Canning. (Photo Credit: i. Materialise)

Melinda Looi’s Gems of the Ocean, created with Samuel Canning, showcases the potential of 3D printing to bring nature-inspired designs to life with stunning precision. This collection captures the beauty of marine life, translating it into wearable art that blurs the line between fashion and natural history.

ADA HEFETZ

Two of the wedding dresses created utilizing 3D printing by Ada Hefetz. (Photo Credit: Stav Peretz)

Ada Hefetz’s 3D printed wedding dress is a testament to how this technology can transform even the most traditional of garments. The dress features intricate lace patterns that are both delicate and robust, offering brides a unique blend of elegance and innovation.

GERT-JOHAN COETZEE

Gert-Johan Coetzee created a 3D printed dress for the Miss Universe pageant. (Photo Credit: Notebook Check)

South African designer Gert-Johan Coetzee took 3D printing to the global stage with a stunning dress at the Miss Universe pageant. This design highlighted the versatility and spectacle that 3D printing can bring to high-profile fashion events.

JULIA DAVIY

A look from Julia Daviy. (Photo Credit: Julia Daviy)

Julia Daviy is a pioneer in sustainable fashion, using 3D printing to create biodegradable garments. Her designs prove that fashion can be both eco-friendly and cutting-edge, addressing the industry’s environmental impact while still pushing creative boundaries.

DANIT PELEG

Danit Peleg Craftbot 3D printed dress. (Photo Credit: Danit Peleg)

Danit Peleg is known for her fully 3D printed fashion collections which she makes available for purchase online. Her work demonstrates the potential for 3D printing to democratize fashion, making high-tech, bespoke garments accessible to a wider audience.

JESSICA ROSENKRANTZ

Jessica Rosenkrantz’s Kinematic Dress. (Photo Credit: Sculpteo)

Jessica Rosenkrantz’s Kinematic Dress is a marvel of design and engineering. Using a system of interlocking pieces, the dress moves and flows like fabric, showcasing the unique capabilities of 3D printing to create flexible, wearable art.

VIPTIE 3D

3D printed ties developed by Viptie 3D. (Photo Credit: Viptie 3D)

Even men’s fashion is getting a 3D printed makeover, with Viptie 3D leading the charge. Their intricately designed ties offer a glimpse into how this technology can bring a new level of personalization and creativity to men’s accessories.

As designers continue to explore the possibilities of 3D printing, the future of fashion looks more innovative and exciting than ever. So tell us, if  you have experimented with 3D Printing?

-------------------------------------

By: Antonia Sardone
Title: Looking for a Unique Wedding Dress? Why Not Try a 3D Printed Version?
Sourced From: www.universityoffashion.com/blog/3d-printing-and-the-new-wave-of-design-innovation/
Published Date: Sat, 01 Jun 2024 23:55:47 +0000

Read More